Former Bulldogs golfer Henley becomes fifth UGA grad to win this season

Director of Audience

Russell Henley held off Rory McIlroy, Ryan Palmer and Russell Knox to win the Honda Classic in a playoff on Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., becoming the fifth former Georgia golfer to notch a victory this season.

Henley, the 2010 Stadion Classic at UGA champion, joined fellow former Bulldogs Chris Kirk, Harris English, Kevin Kisner and Bubba Watson, and with the victory earned a return trip to next month's Masters Tournament.

Kirk began the Bulldogs' run with a victory at The McGladrey Classic in Sea Island, his old home course, on Nov. 10. Harris English followed suit a week later with a victory at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico on Nov. 17.

Kisner made it three victories in three weeks when he captured the title at the Pebble Beach Invitational, a non-PGA Tour event, on Nov. 24 in California.

English hoisted another trophy — this time with some help from former Georgia Tech golfer Matt Kuchar — on Dec. 15 when the pair won the Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Fla.

Watson won on Feb. 16 at the Northern Trust Open in Pacific Palisades, Calif., marking his first victory since the 2012 Masters, and Henley picked up his second career win in as many seasons on Sunday.

Each of the five former Georgia golfers with wins this season has qualified for the upcoming Masters Tournament.

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